Market intelligence for international student recruitment from ICEF
6th Dec 2012

Descriptions of education systems in 60 countries

Nuffic – the Netherlands organisation for international cooperation in higher education – regularly releases country modules, which offer information on the education systems of about 60 countries. Apart from a description of how education is organised in a specific country, the modules provide information about the main qualifications issued in the country, as well as how these qualifications are evaluated overseas. Each country module covers primary, secondary, and vocational schools as well as higher education. Recruiters and admission officers of institutions may find them to be a useful resource when assessing the level of foreign students applying for a programme at their institution. The country modules are also beneficial for anyone who seeks detailed information on a specific country’s education system or grading system, or examples of diplomas. Understanding the education and grading system is also useful for students who are thinking about studying abroad. Prospective students can read in detail how education is organised overseas and they can get a first impression of what their diplomas are worth. The country modules are available in English (and Dutch) and are freely accessible. They are updated regularly, with five new modules added each year. At present, the following are online: Albania, Aruba, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, China, Croatia, Curaçao, St. Martin and BES islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, International Baccalaureate, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam. Please see the Nuffic website for all available country modules.  

Most Recent

  • Narrowing bands of compliance: How the UK’s new RAG system will impact international student recruitment Read More
  • Irish higher education reports a fourth straight year of foreign enrolment growth Read More
  • Mexico: A personalised, supportive approach is the key to success in this growing study abroad market Read More

Most Popular

  • Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030? Read More
  • Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation  Read More
  • Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe Read More

Because you found this article interesting

Narrowing bands of compliance: How the UK’s new RAG system will impact international student recruitment The UK Home Office has circulated draft guidance to expand on forthcoming changes to the Basic Compliance Assessment...
Read more
Irish higher education reports a fourth straight year of foreign enrolment growth The number of international students enrolled in Irish universities has been growing steadily from a COVID-era dip in...
Read more
Mexico: A personalised, supportive approach is the key to success in this growing study abroad market Mexican students have traditionally gravitated to the US and Canada for study abroad, but President Trump’s anti-immigration agenda...
Read more
UK ELT reports challenging enrolment trends continued through last quarter of 2025 Continuing a pattern from the first half of the year, English UK’s latest QUIC release (Quarterly Intelligence Cohort)...
Read more
British Council says student recruitment to UK higher education will get a boost this year from South Asia and the “Trump effect” “Demand for UK education will remain resilient over the coming year despite increased competition from intra-regional mobility in...
Read more
New Zealand expands post-study work opportunities for international students In late 2026, New Zealand is rolling out a new Short Term Graduate Work Visa and extending eligibility...
Read more
As Iran retaliates across the Middle East, schools close, students worry, and institutions reassess transnational education The US/Israel-Iran war has touched down in several countries in the Middle East, and international educators and students...
Read more
US: Student visa issuances fell by -36% in summer 2025; OPT uncertainty among factors affecting international student demand The US government has renewed its focus on the Optional Practical Training (OPT) programme that allows international students...
Read more
What are you looking for?
Quick Links